First, a frugal tip. Not a major thrifty move but it counts up in the long run: Use Quick Rewards (paying with your Reward Credits at the point of purchase) to pay for your meals rather than charging them to your room and then paying the whole bill with Reward Credits when you check out. No taxes on the former, but taxes on the latter. (A tip from the just-full-of-information Seven Stars Insider newsletter.)
Another frugal tip you may – or may not – want to embrace: Caesars recently linked up their Total Rewards players club with the Fuel Rewards Network (FRN). This has the potential to save you up to $10 a month on filling your gas tank. However, the details, like so many in Caesars promotions, are quite complicated. I suggest you go to the August issue of the Seven Stars Insider (use link above) for a thorough discussion of this promotion and look at the pros and cons to see whether you want to participate. I guess everyone knows I am big on frugal ideas but this freebie extra is giving me a headache just trying to understand it. I think I will just forget it!
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is joining a trend that is spreading in casinos all over the US, requiring more coin-in on “good” VP machines to get one players club point. All their $5 JoB 9/6 machines now require $25 to earn one Reward Credit, rather than $10 as in the past. This has not yet spread to all Caesars properties, but you need to watch for little warning stickers that might appear on your favorite machine. Some casinos are also adding other warnings, i.e., labeling machines that are not eligible for multiple points or other casino promotions. The “fine print warning” is not limited just to casino mailers anymore!
I get a lot of complaints about the resort fees charged by Caesars properties. However, I think everyone is going to have to get used to them – they are probably here to stay, not only at these properties but at most hotels these days. Best advice I can give for those looking for the best bargain: Add the base price and the resort fee and then do your comparisons. Sometimes a property that does not have a resort fee pencils out at a higher total price than one which does have the fee.
Leaving Religion for Taxes
First, a note: I am going to cut off “Comments” on my last blog entry, “What Were They Thinking?” I have kept them open for many days because I am a strong supporter of free speech. But when you get into the subject of religion or politics, there comes a time when the discussion is getting repetitive and many readers will want us to go on to other subjects. So that is what we are going to do.
Gambling and Taxes
Recently there have been discussions about gambling and taxes on some gambling forums, specifically about the “session” method of reporting. Continue reading →